got what it takes?
Spectator or superhero? Either way, there's a place for you at AFM's Fittestperson contest
Austin Fit Magazine — you know, the free glossy that features hardbodies on its cover, reminding you of your lack of willpower as you wait in line for pancakes at Magnolia Cafe — is inviting Austinites to compete in its first ever AFM Fittest competition.
Each August, Austin Fit Magazine highlights 10 of Austin's fittest citizens, but in the past, the title of "Fittest" was handed out based on reputation — not a measurable test of physical strength.
This year, the magazine is pulling out all of the appropriate stops, with the mission of objectively finding the 10 fittest people in Austin based on the results of ten fitness tests that measure strength, endurance, agility, speed, power, precision and conditioning. No popularity contests allowed.
As for the specifics, here is what Austin Fit has to say:
What is the Fitness Challenge? It’s a series of fitness tests including, but not limited to, strength, endurance, balance, speed, and precision. There are ten tests, and individual athletes will compete in all ten events for a cumulative score (think of it as an “urban decathlon”); there will also be a five-person team division, for those who aren’t quite ready or don’t necessarily want to go solo. Competitors will be grouped according to age by decades, beginning with 20-29 and progressing to an over-60 division. There will be a male and female winner in each category. We’ll also have an “Invitational” category for some folks we know who would enjoy the challenge…athletes we know you’d like to see, too, because this will definitely be a spectator-friendly event.
Austin Fit editor-in-chief Melanie Moore recently told the Daily Texan, “We’re trying to be inclusive about the whole thing. We wanted to encourage people of all ages and lifestyles to live a more healthy and fit lifestyle.”
“Functional training is all the muscles working together to accomplish something,” she continued. “And that’s what these tests are designed around. Somebody may not be able to do one pull-up, and that’s okay. They could do really well in something else.”
So put on your best running shoes and bravest face, because your participation is encouraged at the one-day event at Camp Mabry on June 9.
Or you could "get involved" by drinking a beer on the sidelines with us. That counts too, right?